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119-535: Focusing on promoting stability and prosperity in the region, MEPI supports partnerships through projects that are responsive to emerging opportunities by being field-driven, applying evidence-based decision-making, and designing results-oriented projects. Four of MEPI's most prominent leadership programs are its annual Student Leaders program that brings students from all over the MENA region to participate in an intensive leadership training course of approximately 5 weeks in

238-533: A Lockheed AC-130 from the list of armaments requested for the operation. Powell took an early resignation from his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on September 30, 1993. The following year President Clinton sent newly-retired Powell, together with former President Jimmy Carter and Senator Sam Nunn, to visit Haiti in an effort to persuade General Raoul Cédras and the ruling junta to abdicate in favor of former Haitian President Aristide, under

357-607: A ceremony at his ranch in Crawford, Texas on December 16, 2000. This made Powell the first person to formally accept a Cabinet post in the Bush administration, as well the first black United States secretary of state . As secretary of state, Powell was perceived as moderate. Powell was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate by voice vote on January 20, 2001, and ceremonially sworn in on January 26. Over

476-833: A commission as an Army second lieutenant ; at this time, the Army was newly desegregated (see: Executive Order 9981 ) . He underwent training in the state of Georgia , where he was refused service in bars and restaurants because of the color of his skin . After attending basic training at Fort Benning , Powell was assigned to the 48th Infantry , in West Germany , as a platoon leader . From 1960 to 1962, he served as group liaison officer, company executive officer, and commander of Company A, 1st Battle Group, 4th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Devens , Massachusetts. Captain Powell served

595-411: A few years time". In a press statement on February 24, 2001, Powell had said that sanctions against Iraq had prevented the development of any weapons of mass destruction by Saddam Hussein . Powell favored involving the international community in the invasion, as opposed to a unilateral approach . Powell's chief role was to garner international support for a multi-national coalition to mount

714-596: A form of blood cancer that damaged his immune system . Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937, in Harlem , a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan . He was born to Jamaican immigrants Maud Ariel (née McKoy) and Luther Theophilus Powell. His parents were both of mixed African and Scottish ancestry. Luther worked as a shipping clerk and Maud as a seamstress . Powell

833-443: A framed quotation by President Abraham Lincoln . The quote was "I can make a brigadier general in five minutes. But it's not so easy to replace one hundred ten horses." Taped to the back of the frame was an envelope with instructions that it not be opened for ten years. When Powell opened the note in 1989, after he had become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he read Purviance's prediction that Powell would become Chief of Staff of

952-544: A hypothetical match-up proposed to voters in the exit polls conducted on Election Day. Despite not standing in the race, Powell won the Republican New Hampshire Vice-Presidential primary on write-in votes. In 1997, Powell founded America's Promise with the objective of helping children from all socioeconomic sectors. That same year saw the establishment of The Colin L. Powell Center for Leadership and Service . The mission of

1071-614: A joint Middle East Free Trade zone by 2013. In March 2003, William J. Burns , Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and Wendy Chamberlin , Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development, testified before the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia on the operational aspects of MEPI and how they reflected U.S. policy of

1190-754: A larger entity known as Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which is a unit in the Defense Ministry of Israel , is still functioning in full. The Israeli–Palestinian Joint Water Committee also still exists. At the 2000 Camp David Summit , the US tried to save the Accords by reviving the negotiations. After the failure of the Summit, the Second Intifada broke out and

1309-651: A means to implement democracy in foreign policy, "The war in Iraq has fostered the false impression that military force is the only instrument of regime change, when in fact it is the rarest used and least effective way to promote democratic change abroad. A wiser, more effective, and more sustainable strategy must emphasize nonmilitary tools aimed at changing the balance of power between democratic forces and autocratic rulers and, only after there has been progress toward democracy, building liberal institutions." Critics have charged that MEPI hinders reform by working too closely within

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1428-752: A meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of American States . After the September 11 attacks , Powell's job became of critical importance in managing the United States of America's relationships with foreign countries to secure a stable coalition in the War on Terrorism . My second purpose today is ... to share with you what the United States knows about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction ... Iraq's behavior demonstrate that Saddam Hussein and his regime have made no effort ... to disarm as required by

1547-698: A number of arms treaties with Mikhail Gorbachev , the leader of the Soviet Union . In April 1989, after his tenure with the National Security Council , Powell was promoted to four-star general under President George H. W. Bush and briefly served as the Commander in Chief , Forces Command (FORSCOM), headquartered at Fort McPherson, Georgia , overseeing all active U.S. Army regulars, U.S. Army Reserve , and National Guard units in

1666-521: A peg or two. Fall on your damn sword and kill yourself, and I'll be happy, too." In September 2005, Powell was asked about the speech during an interview with Barbara Walters and responded that it was a "blot" on his record. He went on to say, "It will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It's painful now." Wilkerson later said that he inadvertently participated in a hoax on the American people in preparing Powell's erroneous testimony before

1785-613: A permanent settlement based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338" Some have interpreted this to mean that the Palestinian Authority was only meant to be temporary. Others have accused Israeli governments of not living up to their obligations under the Accord. The lack of a permanent agreement has led both Israelis and Palestinians to regard the Oslo Accords as no longer relevant. Nevertheless, elements of

1904-430: A possible North Korean attack, and made them repeatedly watch the television film Brian's Song to promote racial harmony. Powell always professed that what set Emerson apart was his great love of his soldiers and concern for their welfare. After a race riot occurred, in which African-American soldiers almost killed a white officer, Powell was charged by Emerson to crack down on black militants ; Powell's efforts led to

2023-669: A significant factor in maintaining security for both sides. A security analysis presented to the Israeli government by Shin Bet in 2016 praised the security cooperation. According to the IDF , Palestinian security forces were responsible for about 40% of arrests of terrorism suspects in the West Bank in early 2016. Following the announcement that Israel will unilaterally annex territories in May 2020,

2142-464: A tour in Vietnam as a South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) advisor from 1962 to 1963. While on patrol in a Viet Cong -held area, he was wounded by stepping on a punji stake . The large infection made it difficult for him to walk, and caused his foot to swell for a short time, shortening his first tour. Powell returned to Vietnam as a major in 1968, serving as assistant chief of staff of operations for

2261-414: Is able to utilize "the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payments. It arises from the attractiveness of a country's culture, political ideals, and policies. When our policies are seen as legitimate in the eyes of others, our soft power is enhanced.". In a June 2007 article for The Stanley Foundation, Francis Fukuyama and Michael McFaul endorsed American soft power as

2380-558: Is located within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in the U.S. State Department. In addition to its headquarters in Washington, D.C. , MEPI has regional offices in the MENA region. Soft power , a phrase coined by political theorist and author, Joseph S. Nye Jr. , is used as a complement to America's military strength, or hard power , in a post 9-11 world. Nye believes that by incorporating soft power in U.S. national strategy, America

2499-538: Is only one set of countries that is completely undemocratic: the Arab world." Mr. Gershman stated further that "democracy will not come about if people dwell on the past or are obsessed with blame-placing, but only if they seek practical solutions to real problems. If this is true, it follows that a change in political culture – replacing attitudes of victimization with a readiness to engage in self-criticism and to take responsibility for one's own fate – can only come from within

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2618-802: The 2016 United States presidential election , Powell, who was not a candidate, received three electoral votes from Washington state for the office of President of the United States. He won numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations. His civilian awards included the Presidential Medal of Freedom (twice), the Congressional Gold Medal , the Presidential Citizens Medal , and the Secretary's Distinguished Service Award . Powell died from complications of COVID-19 in 2021, while being treated for

2737-517: The 23rd (Americal) Infantry Division . During the second tour in Vietnam he was decorated with the Soldier's Medal for bravery after he survived a helicopter crash and single-handedly rescued three others, including division commander Major General Charles M. Gettys , from the burning wreckage. Soldiers actively hunted, herded, and killed elderly people, children, infants, and raped women while other Soldiers [ sic ] looked on and did nothing to stop

2856-705: The Areas A and B . Redeployments from Area C would follow in subsequent phases. Article XI.3 states: "Area C" means areas of the West Bank outside Areas A and B, which, except for the issues that will be negotiated in the permanent status negotiations, will be gradually transferred to Palestinian jurisdiction in accordance with this Agreement. The issues that will be negotiated, according to Article XVII.1, are: "Jerusalem, settlements, specified military locations, Palestinian refugees, borders, foreign relations and Israelis; and ... powers and responsibilities not transferred to

2975-664: The Bosnian crisis , as he opposed any military intervention that did not involve U.S. interests. Powell also regularly clashed with Secretary of Defense Leslie Aspin , whom he was initially hesitant to support after Aspin was nominated by President Clinton. During a lunch meeting between Powell and Aspin in preparation of Operation Gothic Serpent , Aspin was more focused on eating salad than listening and paying attention to Powell's presentation on military operations. The incident caused Powell to grow more irritated towards Aspin and led to his early resignation on September 30, 1993. Powell

3094-679: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , suggested in February 2005, that MEPI should be reestablished as the Middle East Foundation (MEF), a private foundation that would be eligible for funding in a line-item grant in the foreign affairs account of the federal budget. If freed from the constraints of an aid program affiliated with the State Department, Carothers argued, such a foundation would enjoy

3213-684: The City College of New York in 1958 and said that he was a "C average" student. "I wasn't doing well in civil engineering". While at CCNY, Powell shifted his study focus to the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and became a "straight A student" in it; he held the distinction of being the first chairman to have attained his commission through the ROTC. Powell also graduated from George Washington University with an MBA in 1971 and an honorary doctor of public service in 1990. Powell

3332-525: The Continental U.S. , Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. He became the third general since World War II to reach four-star rank without ever serving as a division commander, joining Dwight D. Eisenhower and Alexander Haig . Later that year, President George H. W. Bush selected him as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . Powell's last military assignment, from October 1, 1989, to September 30, 1993,

3451-595: The National War College , Washington, D.C. In his autobiography, My American Journey , Powell named several officers he served under who inspired and mentored him. As a lieutenant colonel commanding 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry in South Korea, Powell was very close to his division commander, Major General Henry "Gunfighter" Emerson , whom he regarded as one of the most caring officers he ever met. Emerson insisted his troops train at night to fight

3570-583: The Palestinian authorities for maintaining security . Oslo II, Article X.2 reads: Further redeployments of Israeli military forces to specified military locations will commence after the inauguration of the Council and will be gradually implemented commensurate with the assumption of responsibility for public order and internal security by the Palestinian Police ... And Article XI.2.e: During

3689-635: The Powell Doctrine , which limits American military action unless it satisfies criteria regarding American national security interests, overwhelming force, and widespread public support. He served as secretary of state under Republican president George W. Bush . As secretary of state, Powell gave a presentation to the United Nations Security Council regarding the rationale for the Iraq War , but he later admitted that

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3808-517: The War on Terrorism . Rep. Steve Chabot , R- OH and Rep. William Janklow , R-SD, questioned how reforms would be enacted to deal with textbooks that taught Arab children "anti-Jewish sentiment" and "racist" hatred. Burns responded that "detoxification" would be encouraged by MEPI, particularly in the Palestinian school system. Chamberlin stated that USAID would attempt to address this through teacher training programs. A February 2, 2010, article in

3927-683: The "peace process" reached a deadlock. Following the Gaza–Jericho Agreement and prior to the first Palestinian Authority elections , Israel withdrew in 1994 from Jericho and from most of the Gaza Strip. In accordance with the Hebron Protocol , Israel withdrew from 80% of Hebron in January 1997. With stalled negotiations, further redeployments did not take place. By March 1998, none of the withdrawals had occurred. In October 1998,

4046-468: The 1968 Mỹ Lai massacre . Powell wrote: "In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between Americal soldiers and the Vietnamese people are excellent." Later, Powell's assessment would be described as whitewashing the news of the massacre, and questions would continue to remain undisclosed to the public. In May 2004, Powell said to television and radio host Larry King , "I

4165-401: The 1991 Persian Gulf War . During these events, Powell earned the nickname "the reluctant warrior" – although Powell himself disputed this label, and spoke in favor of the first Bush administration's Gulf War policies. As a military strategist , Powell advocated an approach to military conflicts that maximizes the potential for success and minimizes casualties. A component of this approach is

4284-399: The Arab world." MEPI's original mandate was to address four deficits in the Arab world identified by the 2002 Arab Human Development Report —deficits in political freedom, economic freedom, knowledge, and women's rights. In that same U.N. report, Arab scholars wrote that a choice had to be made between "inertia…[and] an Arab renaissance that will build a prosperous future for all Arabs." MEPI

4403-578: The Civil Administration in the West Bank will be dissolved, and the Israeli military government shall be withdrawn...." Twenty years later, however, the withdrawal of Israeli troops did not take place, and the Civil Administration still has permanent military presence in more than 80% of the West Bank ( Area B and C ). Permanent status negotiations about remaining issues would start not later than May 1996 (two years after

4522-480: The Council." By excluding Jerusalem and the settlements from the areas to be transferred to the Palestinians, Israeli presence, including the military to protect them, would not change without a negotiated agreement. The Accords also preserve Israel's exclusive control of the borders, the airspace and the territorial Gaza waters. Oslo II, Article XII: In order to guarantee public order and internal security for

4641-503: The DeYoung biography and quoted JINSA's then-executive director, Thomas Neumann, as "surprised" Powell "would single out a Jewish group when naming those who supported the war." Neumann said, "I am not accusing Powell of anything, but these are words that the antisemites will use in the future". Once Saddam Hussein had been deposed, Powell's renewed role was to once again establish a working international coalition, this time to assist in

4760-538: The Declaration of Principles (DoP) discusses regional cooperation and implicitly calls for major international aid efforts to help the Palestinians, Jordan, Israel and the entire region. After the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993, an international conference was held in Washington, D.C. to assure the economic solvency of the newly-established Palestinian National Authority. Key goals were economic development in

4879-610: The Israeli military government and its Civil Administration to the Palestinian Authority, hereby established , in accordance with Article V of this Agreement, except for the authority that Israel shall continue to exercise as specified in this Agreement. The PA temporarily executed some powers and responsibilities until the establishment of the Council . Article I.1–2 of the Oslo II Accord read: 1. Israel shall transfer powers and responsibilities as specified in this Agreement from

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4998-503: The Israeli military government and its Civil Administration to the Council in accordance with this Agreement. Israel shall continue to exercise powers and responsibilities not so transferred. 2. Pending the inauguration of the Council, the powers and responsibilities transferred to the Council shall be exercised by the Palestinian Authority established in accordance with the Gaza-Jericho Agreement, which shall also have all

5117-599: The Jerusalem Post reported that a UK watchdog group, The Taxpayer's Alliance, has tracked European taxpayer-funded aid to the Palestinians. In recently released reports, the Alliance found that anti-Semitic and anti-Israel narratives continue to persist in Palestinian textbooks in violation of the 1994 Oslo Accords . In a November 2003 speech given at the National Endowment for Democracy , also known as

5236-484: The MENA region through accredited regional institutions. MEPI advances participatory governance in viewing citizens' role as direct deliberative engagement with decision-makers and processes. Broader citizen participation in governance ensures inclusive decision-making and transparent political processes, promotes stability and enhances citizen confidence in government. MEPI empowers citizens to engage with governments in shaping their demands for services and opportunities on

5355-504: The NED, President Bush stressed the need to spread democracy to the Arab and Muslim-majority countries of the Middle East to address the deficits of freedom. Carl Gershman, president of the NED, in his remarks delivered at the December 12, 2003, Conference on Mideast Regional Security V, reinforced President Bush's words with his own, "By any category that is meaningful in the world today, there

5474-523: The Oslo Accords remained. The interim Palestinian Authority became permanent, and a dominant factor of the PLO. The West Bank remained divided into Areas A, B and C . Area C, covering some 60% of the West Bank, is under exclusive Israeli military and civilian control. Less than 1% of area C is designated for use by Palestinians, who are also unable to build in their own existing villages in area C due to Israeli restrictions. The Israeli Civil Administration, part of

5593-565: The Oslo Accords were among other things, Palestinian interim Self-Government (not the Palestinian Authority (PA), but the Palestinian Legislative Council ) and a permanent settlement of unresolved issues within five years, based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. Although the agreements recognize the Palestinian "legitimate and political rights," they remain silent about their fate after

5712-560: The Oslo Accords; Palestinian-American philosopher Edward Said described them as a "Palestinian Versailles ". The peace process was strained by the Cave of the Patriarchs massacre as well as by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad suicide bombings and attacks. Far-right Israelis also opposed the Oslo Accords, and Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by a right-wing Israeli extremist for signing them. “We who have fought against you,

5831-746: The Oslo process ended after the failure of the Camp David Summit in 2000 and the outbreak of the Second Intifada . During the Second Intifada, the Roadmap for Peace was proposed by the Quartet on the Middle East , and explicitly aimed at a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The Roadmap, however, soon entered a cycle similar to the Oslo process, but without producing any agreement. Stated goals of

5950-650: The PA. Military intelligence coordination officially began in 1996. After the Western Wall Tunnel riots , the Palestinian leadership effectively ceased security coordination with Israel, but it was renewed after the signing of the Wye River Memorandum . During the second Intifada coordination was intermittent, and it did not function effectively in 2000–2006. The following years, the security coordination bore significant achievements, and has become

6069-420: The Palestinian territories. The majority of the aid (~72%) was provided by ten donors: the European Union (18.9%), the United States (14.2%), Saudi Arabia (9.9%), Germany (5.8%), the United Arab Emirates (5.2%), Norway (4.8%), United Kingdom (4.3%), the World Bank (3.2%), Japan (2.9%), and France (2.7%). The Transitional Period is commonly known as the interim period (Oslo I, Article V) or interim phase. Hence

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6188-462: The Palestinians of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Council shall establish a strong police force as set out in Article XIV below. Israel shall continue to carry the responsibility for defense against external threats, including the responsibility for protecting the Egyptian and Jordanian borders, and for defense against external threats from the sea and from the air, as well as the responsibility for overall security of Israelis and Settlements, for

6307-420: The Palestinians, we say to you today, in a loud and a clear voice; Enough of blood and tears. Enough!” — Rabin said on behalf of the Israeli people after the historical handshake with Yasser Arafat , The Oslo Accords are based on the 1978 Camp David Accords and show therefore considerable similarity with those Accords. The Camp David's "Framework for Peace in the Middle East" envisioned autonomy for

6426-435: The Pentagon, with Meyer appointing Powell as assistant division commander for operations and training of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado under Major General John W. Hudachek. After he left Fort Carson, Powell became the senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger , whom he assisted during the 1983 invasion of Grenada and the 1986 airstrike on Libya . Under Weinberger, Powell

6545-442: The Republican nomination, Powell endorsed him for president and spoke at the 2000 Republican National Convention . Bush won the general election and appointed Powell as secretary of state in 2001. In the electoral college vote count of 2016 , Powell received three votes for president from faithless electors from the state of Washington. President-elect George W. Bush named Powell as his nominee to be secretary of state in

6664-462: The Republican vice presidential nominee, Powell eventually declared himself a Republican and began to campaign for Republican candidates in 1995. He was touted as a possible opponent of Bill Clinton in the 1996 U.S. presidential election , possibly capitalizing on a split conservative vote in Iowa and even leading New Hampshire polls for the GOP nomination, but Powell declined, citing a lack of passion for politics. Powell defeated Clinton 50–38 in

6783-400: The U.S. occupation in Iraq needed to be resolved before reforms could be introduced. Liz Cheney refuted those critics by stating that the U.S. administration believed without reform, the region would continue to generate "ideologies of hate and violence." Cheney believed that reforms as well as resolutions to regional issues could occur concurrently. Economic and political reforms would influence

6902-415: The United Nations Security Council. As recounted in Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell , in 2001 before 9/11, Richard A. Clarke , a National Security Council holdover from the Clinton administration, pushed the new Bush administration for action against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, a move opposed by Paul Wolfowitz who advocated for the creation of a "U.S.-protected, opposition-run 'liberated' enclave around

7021-491: The United States Army . Powell wrote that he kept the Lincoln quote as a reminder to remain humble despite his rank and position. Powell retained his role as the now-senior military assistant into the presidency of Ronald Reagan , serving under Claytor's successor as deputy secretary of defense, Frank Carlucci . Powell and Carlucci formed a close friendship, referring to each by first names in private, as Powell refused any sort of first-name basis in an official capacity. It

7140-402: The United States, its Leaders for Democracy Fellowship program that provides early and mid-career professionals from the MENA region with the opportunity to complete training in participatory governance, conflict resolution, and political mobilization and communication, and its Tomorrow's Leaders undergraduate and graduate program which provides scholarships to promising, under-served students from

7259-454: The West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Middle East stability, introducing liberalized markets, sustaining democratic institutions, and protecting human rights. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, aid to Palestinians totaled over $ 40 billion between 1994 and 2020. The biggest amount of this assistance (35.4%) was for supporting the PA's budget, while the rest was distributed to various economic sectors and services in

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7378-437: The activities of Powell and others in concealing the notes "seemed corrupt enough to meet the new, poorly defined test of obstruction ." Following his resignation as Secretary of Defense, Weinberger was indicted on five felony charges, including one count Obstruction of Congress for concealing the notes. Powell was never indicted by the Independent Counsel in connection with the Iran-Contra affair. In 1986, Powell took over

7497-413: The autonomy necessary to develop political reform projects that would be viewed as separate from the U.S. government. Moreover, it would be more likely that MEPI would increase the possibility of attracting funding from sources outside the U.S. government. Colin Powell Colin Luther Powell ( / ˈ k oʊ l ɪ n ˈ p aʊ ə l / KOH -lin POW -əl ; April 5, 1937 – October 18, 2021)

7616-404: The beginning of the third year of the interim period, between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian people's representatives. 3. It is understood that these negotiations shall cover remaining issues, including: Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security arrangements, borders, relations and cooperation with other neighbors, and other issues of common interest. 4. The two parties agree that

7735-411: The case for the 2003 invasion of Iraq . A 2004 report by the Iraq Survey Group concluded that the evidence that Powell offered to support the allegation that the Iraqi government possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) was inaccurate. As early as 2000 on the day Powell was nominated to be Secretary of State he told the press "Saddam is sitting on a failed regime that is not going to be around in

7854-481: The center is to "prepare new generations of publicly engaged leaders from populations previously underrepresented in public service and policy circles, to build a strong culture of civic engagement at City College, and to mobilize campus resources to meet pressing community needs and serve the public good." Powell was mentioned as a potential candidate in the 2000 U.S. presidential election , but again decided against running. Once Texas Governor George W. Bush secured

7973-411: The command of V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany, from Robert Lewis "Sam" Wetzel . The next year, he served as United States Deputy National Security Advisor , under Frank Carlucci . Following the Iran–Contra scandal, Powell became, at the age of 49, Ronald Reagan 's National Security Advisor , serving from 1987 to 1989 while retaining his Army commission as a lieutenant general . He helped negotiate

8092-455: The course of his tenure he traveled less than any other U.S. Secretary of State in thirty years. This is partly attributed to a letter from former diplomat George F. Kennan , who advised Powell to focus on his duties as the president's principal foreign policy advisor and avoid trips that risked undercutting the duties of the ambassadors . On September 11, 2001, Powell was in Lima , Peru, meeting with President Alejandro Toledo and attending

8211-451: The discharge of one soldier, and other efforts to reduce racial tensions. During 1976–1977 he commanded the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division . Powell subsequently served as the junior military assistant to deputy secretaries of defense Charles Duncan and Graham Claytor , receiving a promotion to brigadier general on June 1, 1979. At the ceremony, he received from Secretary Harold Brown's protocol officer, Stuart Purviance,

8330-496: The effort to upgrade Benavidez's medal and provided the necessary sworn statement; the upgrade to the Medal of Honor was approved in December 1980. Powell also declined an offer from Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh Jr. to be his under secretary due to his reluctance to assume a political appointment; James R. Ambrose was selected instead. Intent on attaining a division command, Powell petitioned Carlucci and Army chief of staff Edward C. Meyer for reassignment away from

8449-405: The further redeployment phases to be completed within 18 months from the date of the inauguration of the Council, powers and responsibilities relating to territory will be transferred gradually to Palestinian jurisdiction that will cover West Bank and Gaza Strip territory, except for the issues that will be negotiated in the permanent status negotiations. The first phase included the withdrawal from

8568-410: The future of the Middle East. Cheney offered that court systems needed to be reformed in order to instill investor confidence in the region. Although there is increasing debate over the need for Arab countries to reform politically and economically, most of these Arab countries are suspicious when such reform is called for by the U.S. government. Thomas Carothers , an authority on democracy promotion at

8687-541: The goal of MEPI was to create "a long-term prospect" for reform, "not something that is going to be done in one year or five years.". MEPI was designed to target areas not served by USAID , the United States' main foreign aid and development program. Initially dependent on USAID in support of its mission, MEPI has come into its own and targets short-term programs addressing political change in order for USAID longer-term development programs to be successful. In 2002, Elizabeth Cheney and daughter of Vice-President Dick Cheney ,

8806-435: The informant known as Curveball . Powell later recounted how Vice President Dick Cheney had joked with him before he gave the speech, telling him, "You've got high poll ratings; you can afford to lose a few points." Powell's longtime aide-de-camp and Chief of Staff from 1989 to 2003, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson , later characterized Cheney's view of Powell's mission as to "go up there and sell it, and we'll have moved forward

8925-519: The inhabitants of the West Bank and Gaza". While the final goal in Camp David was a "peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, taking into account the agreement reached in the final status of the West Bank and Gaza", the Oslo negotiations were directly between Israel and the PLO and aimed at a peace treaty directly between these groups. The Oslo Accords, like the 1978 Camp David Accords, merely aimed at an interim agreement that allowed first steps. This

9044-685: The intelligence community, including the creation of a national intelligence director who would assure that "what one person knew, everyone else knew". Oslo Accords The Oslo Accords are a pair of interim agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): the Oslo I Accord , signed in Washington, D.C. , in 1993; and the Oslo II Accord , signed in Taba, Egypt , in 1995. They marked

9163-462: The intense debate that went on behind the scenes on what to include in Powell's speech. State Department analysts had found dozens of factual problems in drafts of the speech. Some of the claims were taken out, but others were left in, such as claims based on the yellowcake forgery . The administration came under fire for having acted on faulty intelligence, particularly that which was single-sourced to

9282-416: The interim period. The Oslo Accords neither define the nature of the post-Oslo Palestinian self-government and its powers and responsibilities, nor do they define the borders of the territory it eventually would govern. A core issue of the Oslo Accords was the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Palestinian territories. The plan was a withdrawal in phases and a simultaneous transfer of responsibilities to

9401-490: The international border between Israel and a future Palestinian state : negotiations for this subject are centered around Israeli settlements , the status of Jerusalem , Israel's maintenance of control over security following the establishment of Palestinian autonomy, and the Palestinian right of return . The Oslo Accords did not create a definite Palestinian state. A large portion of the Palestinian population, including various Palestinian militant groups , staunchly opposed

9520-405: The international community. Indeed, the facts and Iraq's behavior show that Saddam Hussein and his regime are concealing their efforts to produce more weapons of mass destruction ... every statement I make today is backed up by sources, solid sources. These are not assertions. What we're giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence. Powell came under fire for his role in building

9639-506: The invasion. To this end, Powell addressed a plenary session of the United Nations Security Council on February 5, 2003, to argue in favor of military action. Citing numerous anonymous Iraqi defectors, Powell asserted that "there can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more." Powell also stated that there was "no doubt in my mind" that Saddam

9758-465: The law. Despite this, thousands of TOW missiles and hundreds of Hawk missiles and spare parts were transferred from Israel to Iran until the venture was exposed in a Lebanese magazine, Ash-Shiraa , in November 1986. According to Iran-Contra Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh , when questioned by Congress, Powell "had given incomplete answers" concerning notes withheld by Weinberger and that

9877-500: The limitations set by the Arab governments in the regions it serves. MEPI has addressed these concerns through its small grants programs shifting away from Arab government agencies to work directly with civil society activists. MEPI critics in the Arab world saw the initiative as the U.S. means to impose reforms on the Middle East following 9-11 and complained that the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Arab territories and

9996-527: The local, and only for the local, (Palestinian) inhabitants of West Bank and Gaza. At the time, there lived some 7,400 settlers in the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem), and 500 in Gaza, with the number in the West Bank, however, rapidly growing. As Israel regarded the PLO a terrorist organisation, it refused to talk with the sole representative of the Palestinian people. Instead, Israel preferred to negotiate with Egypt and Jordan, and "elected representatives of

10115-495: The local, regional, and national levels. MEPI bolsters civil society to effectively interact with government officials to increase their responsiveness to citizen needs and with citizens to channel their participation in decision-making. MEPI supports government officials' efforts to increase their engagement with and responsiveness to citizens to resolve issues of shared concern. Economic opportunity and reforms are cornerstones for fostering partnership between citizens, civil society,

10234-500: The massacre. An estimated 350 to 500 unarmed civilians died in My Lai ... MAJ Colin Powell, a recently assigned Deputy G3, investigated the allegations described in the [Glen] letter. He proved unable to uncover either wide-spread unnecessary killings, war crimes, or any facts related to My Lai ... Powell was charged with investigating a detailed letter by 11th Light Infantry Brigade soldier Tom Glen, which backed up rumored allegations of

10353-586: The name "Interim Agreement" for the Oslo II Accord and the term "Interim Self-Government Authority" (Oslo I, Article I). The interim period was designed to bridge the period between the establishment of the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council , and the end of the permanent status negotiations, "leading to a permanent settlement based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338" (Oslo I, Article I). The permanent settlement

10472-677: The notable outcomes of the Oslo Accords was the creation of the Palestinian National Authority , which was tasked with the responsibility of conducting limited Palestinian self-governance over parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip ; and the international acknowledgement of the PLO as Israel's partner in permanent-status negotiations about any remaining issues revolving around the Israeli–Palestinian conflict . Bilateral dialogue stems from questions related to

10591-491: The now-senior military assistant Powell's experience in military matters made him a very popular figure with both American political parties. Many Democrats admired his moderate stance on military matters, while many Republicans saw him as a great asset associated with the successes of past Republican administrations. Put forth as a potential Democratic vice presidential nominee in the 1992 U.S. presidential election or even potentially replacing Vice President Dan Quayle as

10710-554: The other as a negotiation partner. The PLO recognized the State of Israel. Israel recognized the PLO as "the representative of the Palestinian people"; no more, no less. Palestine Liberation Organization Israel Norway (facilitating) The Oslo process is the "peace process" that started in 1993 with secret talks between Israel and the PLO. It became a cycle of negotiations, suspension, mediation, restart of negotiations and suspension again. A number of agreements were reached, until

10829-450: The outcome of the permanent status negotiations should not be prejudiced or preempted by agreements reached for the interim period. In May 1999, the five year interim period ended without reaching a comprehensive peace agreement. Both parties had agreed to: “establish a Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority...for the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, for a transitional period not exceeding five years, leading to

10948-434: The parties signed the Wye River Memorandum , promising resumption of the redeployments, but only the first stage was implemented. While Netanyahu faced opposition within his cabinet, additional withdrawals were delayed. During the Second Intifada , in 2002, the Israeli military re-occupied many of the areas previously turned over to Palestinian control. The Oslo Accords brought on the security coordination between Israel and

11067-447: The private sector, and governments. MEPI partners with the U.S. private sector in areas of mutual interest to promote business enabling environments, entrepreneurship, and a skilled labor force to help cultivate broad-based opportunities. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell , serving under President George W. Bush , announced the creation of MEPI in a December 2002 speech at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. , declaring that

11186-489: The purpose of safeguarding their internal security and public order, and will have all the powers to take the steps necessary to meet this responsibility. The first step was a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho and transfer of some powers and responsibilities on civil matters to the interim Palestinian Authority. All to agree upon within two months from October 1993 (Oslo I, Annex II). Then, Israeli troops were to withdraw from populated Palestinian areas to pave

11305-552: The rebuilding of post-war Iraq. On September 13, 2004, Powell testified before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee , acknowledging that the sources who provided much of the information in his February 2003 UN presentation were "wrong" and that it was "unlikely" that any stockpiles of WMDs would be found. Claiming that he was unaware that some intelligence officials questioned the information prior to his presentation, Powell pushed for reform in

11424-667: The rights, liabilities and obligations to be assumed by the Council in this regard. Accordingly, the term 'Council' throughout this Agreement shall, pending the inauguration of the Council, be construed as meaning the Palestinian Authority. The first elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were on 20 January 1996. The governments elected by the PLC retained the name "Palestinian National Authority." The Oslo Accords contained substantial provisions on economic matters and international aid: Annex IV of

11543-600: The road to peace in Jerusalem." A review of Soldier by Tim Rutten criticized Powell's remarks as a "blot on his record", accusing Powell of slandering "neoconservatives in the Defense Department – nearly all of them Jews" with "old and wholly unmeritorious allegations of dual loyalty". A 2007 article about fears that Jewish groups "will be accused of driving America into a war with the regime in Tehran" cited

11662-497: The signing of the Gaza–Jericho Agreement ; Oslo I, Article V) and be concluded before May 1999 (end of 5 year interim period). A peace treaty would end the Israeli–Palestinian conflict . When the Oslo I Accord was signed in 1993, neither a government, nor a parliament existed for the Palestinian territories . The Palestinian Authority (PA or PNA) was created by the 1994 Gaza–Jericho Agreement . Article III.1 reads: Israel shall transfer authority as specified in this Agreement from

11781-522: The southern Iraqi city of Basra". Powell referred to Wolfowitz and other top members of Donald Rumsfeld's staff "as the 'JINSA crowd,' " in reference to the pro-Israel Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs . Again invoking "the JINSA crowd" Powell also attributed the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003 to the neoconservative belief that regime change in Baghdad "was a first and necessary stop on

11900-487: The speech contained substantial inaccuracies. He resigned after Bush was reelected in 2004. In 1995, Powell wrote his autobiography, My American Journey and then in retirement another book titled, It Worked for Me: Lessons in Life and Leadership (2012). He pursued a career as a public speaker, addressing audiences across the country and abroad. Before his appointment as Secretary of State he chaired America's Promise . In

12019-439: The start of the Oslo process , a peace process aimed at achieving a peace treaty based on Resolution 242 and Resolution 338 of the United Nations Security Council . The Oslo process began after secret negotiations in Oslo, Norway , resulting in both the recognition of Israel by the PLO and the recognition by Israel of the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people and as a partner in bilateral negotiations. Among

12138-610: The threat of an imminent US invasion to remove them by force. Powell status as a retired general well known and respected in Haiti was held to be instrumental in persuading Gen. Cédras. During his chairmanship of the JCS, there was discussion of awarding Powell a fifth star , granting him the rank of General of the Army . But even in the wake of public and Congressional pressure to do so, Clinton-Gore presidential transition team staffers decided against it. Powell retained his role as

12257-564: The use of overwhelming force, which he applied to Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His approach has been dubbed the Powell Doctrine . Powell continued as chairman of the JCS into the Clinton presidency . However, as a realist , he considered himself a bad fit for an administration largely made up of liberal internationalists . He clashed with then- U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright over

12376-546: The way for Palestinian elections to establish the council. The council would replace the PA, and the Israeli Civil Administration in the West Bank would be dissolved (Oslo II, Article I). Further redeployments of Israeli troops would follow upon the inauguration of the council, as detailed in the Protocol, Annex I of the Accord. Article I, 5. of Oslo II reads: "After the inauguration of the Council,

12495-567: Was ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps in the military. And I not only liked it, but I was pretty good at it. That's what you really have to look for in life, something that you like, and something that you think you're pretty good at. And if you can put those two things together, then you're on the right track, and just drive on. As a cadet , Powell joined the Pershing Rifles , the ROTC fraternal organization and drill team begun by General John Pershing . Upon graduation, he received

12614-460: Was a professional soldier for thirty-five years, holding a variety of command and staff positions and rising to the rank of general . While attending the City College of New York , Powell joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). He described the experience as one of the happiest experiences of his life. According to Powell: It was only once I was in college, about six months into college when I found something that I liked, and that

12733-488: Was also involved in the unlawful transfer of U.S.-made TOW anti-tank missiles and Hawk anti-aircraft missiles from Israel to Iran as part of the criminal conspiracy that would later become known as the Iran–Contra affair . In November 1985, Powell solicited and delivered to Weinberger a legal assessment that the transfer of Hawk missiles to Israel or Iran, without Congressional notification, would be "a clear violation" of

12852-403: Was an American statesman, diplomat, and army officer who was the 65th United States secretary of state from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African-American to hold the office. He was the 15th national security advisor from 1987 to 1989, and the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993. Powell was born in New York City in 1937 to parents who immigrated from Jamaica . He

12971-456: Was appointed U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs and tasked with supervising MEPI. Cheney explained that under MEPI, the US administration funded programs as diverse as training Arab journalists to revising current teaching methods from rote learning to more child-oriented teaching methods. Additionally, MEPI supported countries seeking to sign Free Trade Agreements with the United States to meet President Bush’s goal to establish

13090-544: Was as the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , the highest military position in the Department of Defense . At age 52, he became the youngest officer, and first Afro-Caribbean American , to serve in this position. Powell was also the first JCS chair who received his commission through ROTC . During this time, Powell oversaw responses to 28 crises, including the invasion of Panama in 1989 to remove General Manuel Noriega from power and Operation Desert Storm in

13209-576: Was commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command in 1989. Powell's last military assignment, from October 1989 to September 1993, was as Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, the highest military position in the United States Department of Defense . During this time, he oversaw twenty-eight crises, including the invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War against Iraq in 1990–1991. He formulated

13328-482: Was in a unit that was responsible for My Lai. I got there after My Lai happened. So, in war, these sorts of horrible things happen every now and again, but they are still to be deplored." When he returned to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1971, Powell earned a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He later served a White House Fellowship under President Richard Nixon from 1972 to 1973. During 1975–1976 he attended

13447-440: Was intended to be followed by negotiation of a complete settlement within five years. When, however, an Israel–Jordan peace treaty was concluded on 26 October 1994, it was without the Palestinians. Only after Israel's acceptance of the PLO as negotiation partner could serious negotiations start. In their Letters of Mutual Recognition of 9 September 1993, days before the signing of the Oslo I Accord , each party agreed to accept

13566-482: Was not defined. The interim period ended on 4 May 1999, five years after the signing of the Gaza–Jericho Agreement . Article V of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (DOP or Oslo I) reads: Transitional Period and Permanent Status Negotiations 1. The five-year transitional period will begin upon the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area. 2. Permanent status negotiations will commence as soon as possible, but not later than

13685-581: Was on Powell's advice that newly-elected President Ronald Reagan presented Roy Benavidez the Medal of Honor ; Benavidez had received the Distinguished Service Cross , which his commander argued should be upgraded, but army officials believed there was no living eyewitness to testify to Benavidez's heroism. A soldier who had been present during the action in question learned in July 1980 of

13804-626: Was raised in the South Bronx and attended the now closed Morris High School , from which he graduated in 1954. While at school, Powell worked at a local baby furniture store, where he picked up Yiddish from the Eastern European Jewish shopkeepers and some of the customers. He also served as a Shabbos goy , helping Orthodox families with needed tasks on the Sabbath. He received a bachelor of science degree in geology from

13923-432: Was raised in the South Bronx and educated in the New York City public schools, earning a bachelor's degree in geology from the City College of New York . He joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps while at City College and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on graduating in 1958. He was a professional soldier for 35 years, holding many command and staff positions and rising to the rank of four-star general . He

14042-520: Was succeeded temporarily by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral David E. Jeremiah , who took the position as Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Soon after Powell's resignation, on October 3–4, 1993, the Battle of Mogadishu , the aim of which was to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid , was initiated and ended in disaster. Powell later defended Aspin, saying in part that he could not fault Aspin for Aspin's decision to remove

14161-525: Was working to obtain key components to produce nuclear weapons. Powell stated that he gave his speech to the UN on "four days' notice". Britain's Channel 4 News reported soon afterwards that a British intelligence dossier that Powell had referred to as a "fine paper" during his presentation had been based on old material and plagiarized an essay by American graduate student Ibrahim al-Marashi . A Senate report on intelligence failures would later detail

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